Amid public outcry, the Liberian government through the Labor Ministry says it provided 22,665 jobs in 2012.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in her 2011 campaign speech, promised to provide 20, 000 jobs annually but the reality of her commitment was not made known until December 31, 2012.
Appearing on the Truth Breakfast Show Monday, Assistant Labor Minister Richard Ngafuan disclosed that 22,665 jobs were provided by what he referred to as the "service sector."
He said Golden Veroleum, a palm oil production entity in the southeastern region of Liberia employed 2,456 persons while China Union provided jobs for 590 persons.
Assistant Minister Ngafuan said the Ministry was collating the data to release the final report of jobs that were provided in 2012.
He said the Ministry of Labor determined the number of jobs provided in 2012 by sending questionnaires to various institutions.
Also speaking during the talk show, Information Minister, Lewis Brown clarified that the President's 20,000 annual jobs promised does not mean government jobs.
He said government cannot employ everybody but would rather create the environment that would attract investors which would lead to job creation for the people.
Minister Brown said with the expansion of activities of various concession companies operating in the country, more jobs would be created for Liberians.
During the talk show, many callers disagreed that over 22,000 jobs were created in 2012. They claimed that government did not create 1,000 jobs.
The callers described the pronouncement about more than 22,000 jobs as a big political bluff, while others said it was a mirage.
The callers argued that one does not need to be a rocket scientist to know that more than 22,000 jobs were not created considering the number of jobless people in the country.
However, Assistant Minister Ngafuan challenged the callers to produce statistical evidence to disprove government's 22,665 jobs creation.
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If there is truth in what the Minister is saying, how then will all these callers challenge him to say it was a POLITICAL BLUFF OR MIRAGE? too much corruption and lies, we need to be serious around here. The records are there it is only the future we are awaiting for people to answer.
The reason people can call and express whatever views they have whether constructive or not is because of democracy. This is a cherished tanet that we should learn to appreciate and fight for...always. But statistics can't lie particularly if its back by documentation. In the old days, employment data was done heavily by estimation. Today, with a large informal sector it even more difficult. But a good way to start is getting formal employment data backed by private sector job application documentation. Government needs to make this a requirement that employers use employment forms and carbon copy the Labor Ministry or other application institution. Job creation should be the hallmark of a growing private sector. Unless the argument is that the private sector is not growing but once it is, one would expect some growth in job creation. More studies need to be undertaken to determine where the jobs are; what the qualifications for those jobs are, which sectors are doing most of the hiring; are most new jobs listings seasonal; and in which locations do you find most jobs being created? All of those questions that either some callers are not factoring in their arguments or are not being supplied with adequate information to make a comprehensive argument. Even as an economist, I can't draw conclusions or make analysis without adequate information. The Liberian economy is growing and with employment being a lagging indicator, one would expect that if private sector-led growth is sustained, jobs would be created overtime. The way to help would-be job seekers would be to do deeper studies of the labor market to provide detailed information on how the Liberian unemployed or underemployed can harness such information to their benefit. Are they prepared to leave Monrovia and relocate? Are they prepared to live in conditions that are less urban? What about changes in vocations and careers? Job training and re-trainig to meet the needs of the private sector job market is fundamental in boosting job growth. All of these are factors that people do not determine if they don't have the neccessary information or the level of education to make informed decisions.